India plane crash: All 242 aboard reported dead - Local Media

India plane crash: All 242 aboard reported dead - Local Media

A London-bound Air India flight, carrying 242 passengers, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, resulting in the deaths of all passengers and crew members. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner struck a doctor's hostel near the airport perimeter, triggering a fire and widespread panic. Rescue operations are underway, with Prime Minister Modi directing ministers to oversee relief efforts.

The crash occurred at 1:39 PM IST, just minutes after takeoff from Runway 23 at Ahmedabad airport. The aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, was headed to Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom. The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian citizen. Of the 242 people on board, 217 were adults and 11 were children [1].

The aircraft issued a "Mayday" distress call shortly after becoming airborne, but no further communication was received before the aircraft went down just beyond the airport’s outer boundary. The cause of the crash remains under investigation [2].

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed ministers to travel to Ahmedabad to oversee relief operations and extend all possible assistance to those affected. The Prime Minister also instructed officials to expedite both rescue and investigative efforts. Ahmedabad airport has suspended all flight operations with immediate effect [3].

The crash is the latest in a series of aviation incidents in India, with the last fatal plane crash involving Air India Express in 2020. The airline's Boeing-737 overshot a "table-top" runway at Kozhikode International Airport in southern India, resulting in the deaths of 18 people [4].

Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft, has stated that it is monitoring the situation and is working to gather more information. The company has not yet released a statement on the cause of the crash [1].

The crash has had a significant impact on the aviation industry and investors, with Boeing shares falling 6.8% to $199.13 in pre-market trade [4].

References:

[1] https://m.economictimes.com/news/india/ahmedabad-plane-crash-death-toll-air-india-ai171-flight-crash-news-242-passengers-boeing-dreamliner-737/articleshow/121801784.cms

[2] https://nypost.com/2025/06/12/world-news/air-india-plane-crashes-at-indias-ahmedabad-airport-source-says/

[3] https://www.dw.com/en/air-india-crash-hundreds-feared-dead-after-plane-comes-down/live-72882715

[4] https://www.yahoo.com/news/plane-crashes-indias-ahmedabad-airport-083449975.html